Even in the multimedia age, where studios have all kinds of new marketing platforms available, trailers remain the most important way to build anticipation for upcoming movie releases. Devoted movie fans will even arrive early at theaters to get a sneak peek at the hottest new flicks, and movie trailers generate tons of hits on video sharing websites. Some studios sink big money into refining their trailers, knowing that box office success or failure could depend on the brief preview. In some cases, bad movies with spectacular trailers still manage to perform well financially despite the lackluster product. Here’s a closer look at movie marketing magic, with a countdown of the 10 best movie trailers from the past decade.
10. The Social Network (2010)
The thing that makes this trailer noteworthy is the fact that it took a puzzling premise and made it appealing. When The Social Network was first announced, reaction among most moviegoers was, “Are they really making a movie about Facebook? Like, really?” But after this trailer hit theaters, the buzz surrounding the film turned from dubious to positive. In the end, The Social Network delivered big on the promise created by its effective trailer — it went on to become one of the most critically acclaimed and financially successful movies of the year.
